Emissions reduction

Batteries

Is adding a battery to your rooftop solar worth it? Here’s how to decide

Although expensive upfront, batteries can help you get through power outages and lower your utility bills. Federal and local incentives can sweeten the deal.

By Alison F. Takemura . 30 May 2024
Electrification

Helping low-income families electrify could save Americans $96 billion

If U.S. policymakers pursue equitable electrification strategies, the societal benefits would be vast, says new report.

By Alison F. Takemura . 29 May 2024
Heat pumps

A call to replace air conditioners with heat pumps in California

Advocates want new building codes to include a heat-pump provision that could benefit consumers and the climate. But regulators have cooled on the proposal.

By Alison F. Takemura . 28 May 2024
Clean industry

Chart: Which sectors are the biggest industrial emitters in the US?

Industry is set to become the country's largest source of CO2 emissions, largely driven by chemical manufacturing and oil and gas refining.

By Maria Gallucci . 24 May 2024
Methane

Landfills leak methane at alarming rates, new research shows

Nearly a fifth of U.S. methane emissions come from landfills. Advocates are calling on the EPA to crack down on this source of climate pollution.

By Naveena Sadasivam . 24 May 2024
Emissions reduction

Portland, Maine, could launch a 'trust fund' to fight climate change

The city council is voting on an ordinance that would sell off renewable energy credits from solar projects to pay for new emission-cutting efforts.

By Annie Ropeik . 22 May 2024
Clean industry

Industrial emissions aren’t falling fast enough to meet US climate goals

Rhodium Group’s new report found that heavy industry, including steel mills and chemical plants, could soon be the nation’s number one source of CO2 emissions.

By Maria Gallucci . 16 May 2024
Carbon-free buildings

Need help electrifying your home? This startup has an app for that

Zero Homes aims to make electrification easier and cheaper by quoting projects — to install heat pumps, EV chargers, and more — without setting foot in your house.

By Alison F. Takemura . 9 May 2024
Carbon capture

World's largest 'direct air capture' plant starts sucking CO2 from the sky

Climeworks just began operating its Mammoth plant in Iceland. The 36,000-ton facility is a significant step up for the costly, energy-intensive tech.

By Maria Gallucci . 8 May 2024
Carbon removal

A $100 million carbon-removal competition enters its final stage

The Elon Musk–backed Xprize competition announced 20 finalists to advance breakthrough solutions for CO2 removal using air, rocks, land, and oceans.

By Maria Gallucci . 8 May 2024